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Posts Tagged ‘Monte de Oro Winery’

Who’s as obsessed with Thanksgiving as we are? The turkey, the trimmings, the pumpkin pie and the WINE!

This is the time of year we get the most questions about wine pairings. While there is no “right” or “wrong” wine to pair with your feast, there are a few varietals that, if paired with your favorite dishes, will send your taste buds into sensory overload. We’re reprising this “oldie but goodie” Thanksgiving wine guide and have updated it with some suggested pairings to try this year.

Light Appetizers + Mellow Whites

These mellow whites pair well with lighter dishes to kick off your Thanksgiving meal. The floral notes of a Viognier complement a fall salad of pears, blue cheese and walnuts; a selection of fruit and cheeses match nicely with a Chardonnay; and a light Pinot Grigio will pair well with your pumpkin soup.

The spicy notes derived from these unique wine grapes pair especially well with stuffing and gravies seasoned with holiday herbs like sage, thyme and rosemary. Having a vegetarian Thanksgiving? These wines work well with earthy mushroom and winter squash dishes too!

Whether it’s wine or food, everyone looks forward to the main course. The dark fruit flavors in these big reds will enhance similar flavors in your herb-rubbed turkey or peppered roasts. Whether you’re serving poultry, lamb or beef, all three are bold enough to stand up to a rich meat course.

Your Thanksgiving meal isn’t complete without dessert, and no dessert is complete without wine – at least that’s how we feel! Apple pies and pear tarts are practically made to pair with a sweet Moscato, where red delicious apples, kiwi, pears, and apricots come together nicely with honeysuckle and jasmine undertones. Oak Mountain’s Port has a nutty honeyed flavor to perfectly complement the nutmeg and allspice flavors of pumpkin pie.

On a wine-buying budget? Or just looking to simplify your evening by serving one wine from start to finish? Any of these three, well-priced wines fit the bill. Each is lighter on the palate, with only subtle hints of sweetness making them suitable to drink from appetizers all the way to dessert. Bon appetit!

Have you ever wondered which wine is a “family favorite” at your favorite Temecula Valley winery? We have too…so, we decided to ask a few of our winery owners which of their wines is their favorite….and, why. Of course, we knew that asking them this question would be much like asking parents of multiple children which is their favorite, but we thought we’d give it a whirl!

Nick Palumbo, owner of Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery says that he and wife Cindy’s fave is the “Tre Fratelli” Meritage blend. As Nick tells it, not only is this wine consistently very good, but it’s got sentimental value for the Palumbo Family as well. It is one of the first blended wines they produced in 2002 when Palumbo Winery opened and takes its name “three brothers” from the 3 boys of the Palumbo Family. The current release 2012, is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

The Lin Family, owners of Callaway Vineyard & Winery, have a brand new favorite wine. They challenged their winemaker, Craig Larson, to pull out all the stops and “do whatever it took, with no cost restrictions” to create a Cabernet Sauvignon that reflects their dedication and passion to bring the best quality wine in all of Temecula Valley and California. What came of this challenge is the OPR,the Owner’s Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which the Lins believe has captured the very essence of everything they envisioned.

Over at Oak Mountain Winery, owners Steve and Valerie Andrews’ favorite is their Tenacious. This wine is a Syrah-heavy Rhone blend named after Valerie’s mother who passed away over 25 years ago. Val says “my mother, Arlene was tenacious in everything she did, and she did plenty. Her license plate on her car was Ten8shs. Whether she was working in the family liquor store, volunteering at the hospital, battling cancer or just being a great mom and friend, she was tenacious. My parents introduced the wine industry to Steve and I, and look what happened! Sorry to say, the wine is so good we drank it all…but a new vintage is coming soon.”

Monte De Oro Winery’s Ken Zignorski is passionate about their Syrah. For him, it’s all about how well it pairs with food. Ken says “I like pairing the Syrah with a nice ribeye steak or tri-tip on the grill. It’s got a full-bodied, mellow and a nice, lasting finish for me. And, I think that Syrah is one of those grapes that really demonstrates Temecula Valley’s capabilities as a wine region.”

Rick & Jennifer Buffington, owners of Cougar Vineyard & Winery, lists Aglianico as their family favorite. A black grape grown in the southern regions of Italy, it originated in Greece and was brought to the south of Italy by Greek settlers. Although it’s not a popular wine amongst the Temecula wineries, it is one that the Buffington family is proud to offer since it isn’t widely available and is very unique. They appreciate the wine’s complexity, high acidity, firm tannins, rich flavor and its ability to pair well with food. Plus….it only gets better with age!

At Briar Rose Winery, owners Les & Dorian Linkogle didn’t hesitate when it came to their favorite wine. Sacrament is a rare and historic Mission Wine. The Mission Wine is made from the Mission Grape planted by Father Junipero Serra to use for the Sacrament of Communion as he established 9 California missions from 1769-1782. These Mission Grapes, also known as the Heritage Grape of the State of California, were planted along the El Camino Real by the Founder of California Missions.

In a large bowl toss together the squash, onions, garlic, thyme, 1 tablespoon (15ml) of the curry powder, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

Pour the squash mixture onto a baking sheet and roast for about 45 minutes.

Discard the thyme sprig and pour the mixture into a blender along with the warmed stock and puree until smooth. (Do this in two batches). Pour the pureed soup into a medium saucepan simmer and stir in the remaining curry powder, and cumin. Simmer the soup for 7 to 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in the cream until fully combined. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve by pouring soup into 24 small glasses or espresso cups. Garnish with a few drops of heavy cream.

The ancient Greeks paid annual homage to Cybele, the mother figure of their gods, the Romans dedicated an annual spring festival to the mother of their gods, and in 16th century England, a celebration called “Mothering Sunday” was inaugurated — a Sunday set aside for visiting one’s mother. When President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill back in 1914 designating the second Sunday in May as a legal holiday to be called “Mother’s Day”, he dedicated the day “to the best mother in the world, your mother.”

Show your Mom how special she is! Lunch, brunch, dinner – or just a day of wine tasting – is surely one way to get on her good side. And remember, you’re the reason she drinks wine in the first place…

Here’s just a few ideas for spending Mother’s Day in Temecula Valley Wine Country:

May has so many national “wine days”, we can eat, drink and be merry all month long! Along with Chardonnay, a familiar favorite, it’s a great excuse for you to try a couple of the lesser-known varietals like Muscat Canelli and Sauvignon Blanc – all of which grow well here in the Temecula Valley.

First up on the calendar is #MoscatoDay, which falls on May 9th. The day was introduced here in the US by Gallo Family Vineyards back in 2012 to celebrate the rising popularity and sky-rocketing sales of the varietal. If you know nothing about Moscato (or Muscat/Muscat Canelli), it originated in the Piedmont region of Italy where it’s a favorite due to its sweetness, lightness and affordability – and is popular as a sparkling wine. You’ll find Moscato table wines in white, red or rosé styles, and they make an especially delicious dessert wine. With it’s bouquet of peach, honey and citrus, a delicate sweetness and fresh acidity, it’s perfect served with a plate of fresh cheeses.

May 15th is #InternationalSauvignonBlancDay. Originating in the Bordeaux region of France, the grape is also widely planted throughout New Zealand – and grows with ease here in the Temecula Valley. An acidic wine that displays a citrus-y, grapefruit-like quality, it’s a pleasing choice for a warm summer day. A very versatile vino, Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with shell fish, grilled vegetables (even asparagus!) and cheeses. It’s the perfect picnic wine!

And then there’s the day to pay homage to the old standby, Chardonnay, on #ChardonnayDay, May 21st. The world’s most planted white wine grape varietal is enjoyed by fans all over the world. Generally dry to medium-dry with pear, apple, tropical or citrus fruit flavors, Chardonnay is grown in virtually every wine-producing region. Crisp and fresh with little to no oak aging, or creamy and buttery with extensive oak aging, there’s a Chardonnay out there that will make just about anyone smile!

Finishing out the month is #NationalWineDay, which is celebrated on May 25. Not to be confused with National Drink Wine Day which is held in February, National Wine Day is actually just another lame excuse for us wine lovers to drink wine. Because for wine lovers, everyday is wine day, right? Cheers!

Nothing screams “Harvest Time!” more than a good old-fashioned grape stomp! September is always a busy time in Temecula Valley Wine Country; besides celebrating California Wine Month with the SIP Passport and annual CRUSH event, our wineries have a few celebrations of their own up their sleeves. You won’t want to miss all the excitement; plan your visit today! Here are just a few of the events happening.

Sangiovese Saturdays at Carol’s
Saturdays in September /11:30a-3:00p
Live music, 1/2 price bottles of Sangiovese, food pairing featuring their new “Sangiovese Burger”. Sangiovese Sangria by the glass of carafe. Buy a “Sangiovese Saturday” t-shirt, wear it when you come back and get a free glass of Sangiovese.

Estate Club Private Wine Tasting
Thursday-Sunday / 11:00a-2:30p /
$20 per person; $10 per person for wine club
A preview of Baily’s outstanding 2011 Bordeaux Varietals at their exclusive production facility and Estate Tasting Room. Experience a private winery tour, get a glimpse of the 2014 harvest activities and special case pricing available (mix and match!) Call for reservations: 951-972-9768.

Prime Rib Fridays
Every Friday at Meritage from 5pm-8:00pm
Three-course Prime Rib dinner for $35 per person! Special wine discount of 20% off Callaway wines by the bottle. Live music beginning at 6pm Reservations are not required.

Sangria Sundays at Meritage at Callaway
Every Sunday from 4pm-8pm Watermelon Sangria and live music from. No cover charge and no reservations required.

Wine Wednesdays
10:00a-5:00p
Every Wednesday through 2014 Doffo Winery will be offering a “winemakers selection” red wine from the tasting room for $25 per bottle (or a case at this per bottle price)

Art Class
Wednesday, September 10 / Sunday, September 28 / 11:00a-2:00p
$55 per person / $45 per person, wine club members
No art experience necessary to participate and you will leave with a lovely wine country themed painting, created by you and ready to frame! Price includes all painting supplies, step by step instruction, a glass of Doffo wine and hors d’oeuvres (authentic empanadas available for purchase)

Live Music
Every Friday in the Restaurant / 5:00p-8:00p
Every Saturday in the Barrel Room / 1:30p-4:30p
Every Sunday on the Patio / 1:00p-4:00p

Annual Grape Stomp
Saturday, September 20 / 6:30p-10:30p
Plated meal in the vines, wine, live music, dancing and stomping! Join friends and family for our most anticipated event of the year! For reservations, either call 951-216-7305 or e-mail to reservations@leonesscellars.com. To assure your space, please RSVP no later than September 13, 2014.

Labor Day Movie in the Vines
Monday, September 1 / Featuring: Return of the Jedi
$1 Admission – Includes small bag of popcorn! Wine Bar and Concession stand will open at 6 pm. Film begins at Sunset on the Barrel Room Lawn! Bring your own beach chair or blanket!

Movie in the Vines
Monday, September 29 / Featuring: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory / $1 Admission – Includes small bag of popcorn! Wine Bar and Concession stand will open at 6 pm. Film begins at Sunset on the Barrel Room Lawn! Bring your own beach chair or blanket!

4th Annual Movie Night for Charity – Despicable Me 2Friday, September 12 / 6:30p
The event is free, but all proceeds from the night’s food and beverage sales and the silent auction will go to Rancho Damacitas, a Temecula charity dedicated to helping underserved children and victims of child abuse. For more information, please visit www.pontewinery.com

Wine & Dine Chef’s Table at the Vineyard Rose Restaurant
Whether it’s a special celebration or an intimate affair, our Chef’s Table dinner for 2 to 8 guests will define the art of fine cuisine with a memorable evening of food and wine for only $135 per person. Call 951-491-8077 to reserve your table today.

Behind the Scenes Winery Tour
Daily / 11:00a and 1:00p / Get up close and personal with the real workings of a winery during a harvest crush. This $40 walking wine tour culminates with a private, plated wine & cheese pairing. Wine Club Members, enjoy the tour for just $35 per person. Reservations strongly suggested: Call 951.587.9463 x7219.

“Winemaker for a Day – Harvest Edition”
September 19-20 (nightly)
Spend a night in our exclusive retreat, Wilson Creek Manor and enjoy picking grapes in the vineyard, making wine in the cellar, delicious food, wine and more! / $670 per person / Due to the nature of this unique experience, space is very limited. Please call and reserve today: 951-699-9463

There’s no shortage of fun things to do in Temecula Valley Wine Country this summer. The grapes love summer and so do we! From grape stomping events, wine making workshops, movies among the vines and evening concerts, we’ve got something for everyone. Here are just a few events from which to choose.

Movie in the Vines ~ Featuring: RatatouilleMonday, August 25
Wine Bar and Concession stand will open at 6 pm.
$1 Admission – Includes small bag of popcorn!
Film begins at Sunset on the Barrel Room Lawn!
Bring your own beach chair or blanket!

Thornton Winery’s Chef’s Counter
Friday, August 29
7:00p
$125 per person, plus tax and tip
An interactive Chef’s Table in a private kitchen.
Five-course meal prepared right in front of you.
Seating is limited to 10 people, so reservations are a must!

Garratt Wilkin & The Parrotheads ConcertFriday, August 15
7:00p-10:00p
$35 General Admission; Wine Club $25 (limit 2)
The #1 Jimmy Buffet tribute band is back by popular demand.

“Winemaker for a Day – Harvest Edition”Monday-Thursday, August 18-21 (nightly)
$670 per person
One night stay at the Wilson Creek Manor, pick grapes in the vineyard, making wine in the cellar, delicious food, wine and more!
Space is very limited and reservations required.

There is so much happening in Temecula Valley in the Fall. In November, we can look forward to the holidays coming up! Enjoy the cool air outdoors or cozy up inside a tasting room. Listen to some live music and drink to your heart’s desire. Temecula Valley is loaded with wine experiences this month, so don’t miss out!

The Story

“Vines, Wine, Peo­ple” – that was the prin­ci­ple when a group of wine-loving investors from across Amer­ica, South Africa and the United King­dom got together to found Monte De Oro Win­ery in 2002. This beautiful Rancho California winery and vineyard uses a com­bi­na­tion of 21st cen­tutry inno­va­tion and centuries-old tra­di­tion in an environmentally-responsible approach to grow­ing its grapes and mak­ing qual­ity Temecula wine.

Monte de Oro owns and operates four Temecula vineyards: Vista del Monte, DePortola, Galway and a newer forth vineyard. In all, Monte De Oro Win­ery has a total of 72 acres of vine­yards and are proud to harvest estate-grown grapes for wine production.

Sixty-six per­cent of Monte De Oro’s grapes are red and thirty-four percent white. This pro­vides a broad array of qual­ity wines for Monte De Oro Win­ery while also reflect­ing the founding group’s per­sonal wine preference.

Sustainable Grape-Growing

Monte De Oro is com­mit­ted to sus­tain­able grape-growing and wine-making, from the vineyards to the winery facility. Instead of rely­ing on the high energy con­sump­tion required for an above-ground wine bar­rel facil­ity, Monte De Oro exca­vated a 9,000 sq. ft. base­ment below ground, to uti­lize the nat­ural envi­ron­ment and aes­thet­ics of the build­ing struc­ture in order to main­tain a proper, con­sis­tent tem­per­a­ture and con­stant humid­ity. This dra­mat­i­cally reduces the need for elec­tric­ity needed in an above-ground facility.

To cap­i­tal­ize on the sunny locale, Monte De Oro has also made plans to incor­po­rate into its site design (park­ing lot and even­tual crush pad) instal­la­tion of solar pan­els to allow for solar-generated elec­tric­ity in the near future.

The Tasting Room

The tasting room at Monte de Oro has a sophis­ti­cated and ele­gant ambiance. Visitors can enjoy the view of the bar­rel cel­lar from above through the glass-floored tast­ing room; and the 180 degree panoramic view of Temec­ula Wine Coun­try from the out­side patio.